Multitasking strategists take a backseat. Hurry, bustle, and do more is no longer an exciting mantra. The myth of multitasking is dispelled as multitasking experts—doing everything at once—no longer represent dexterity and super-success. We had evolved into “multitasking ninjas, living in a society that praised and idolized people who accomplish too much at once.” Prior to the pandemic, the maxim was that multitasking made you more successful.
The pandemic paused the multitasking glory. The world slowed down. Multitasking became a bottleneck to attention. We learned how to focus on one task at a time to reduce our stress. While monotasking involves focusing on a single task at a time, multitasking involves attempting multiple tasks at once. Says Shikha Mittal, founder, Be. “We need to make 2022 the year of focus and phase out multitasking in favor of monotasking,” the artist said. The only way to regain our laser-like focus is through this. Trekking taught me the value of unwavering focus and attention; there is only one rule: keep moving up the mountain no matter the conditions, whether it’s raining or snowing, dark or sunny, keep your feet tapping. “.
On our laptops and smartphones, don’t we constantly try to multitask? Gloria Mark at the University of California found that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to an original task after an interruption, raising the question of whether we have forgotten the art of doing one thing at a time. Dscout, a research organization, estimates that we touch our phones about 2,617 times per day.
While I’m writing, I’m simultaneously checking my Gmail, sending texts or responding on WhatsApp, and catching up on Instagram. Our daily lives are so heavily infused with this constant state of distraction that we hardly ever even notice ourselves giving in to it. Is it affecting our productivity, energy, and mood when we find ourselves mindlessly scrolling away on our phones, with no memory of what we see?
Wellbeing in 2022 is teaching yourself and re-learning monotasking. Being mindful, resisting temptations to indulge in too many tasks or give in to technology urges are all aspects of monotasking. Too much technology destroys focus. Monotasking can be daunting and difficult. Business coach Malti Bhojwani claims that those days are long gone. Previously, we could focus on a task by locking ourselves in a room and turning our phones to “mute,” but these days are different. Monotasking requires discipline, time-boxing and setting firm boundaries. When you try to multitask, you quickly switch from one focus to another without giving your brain a chance to settle into single-pointed focus or access creativity. “.
Effective multitasking gives a false sense of success and super-efficiency. Our brains are “not wired to multitask well… When people think they’re multitasking, they’re just switching from one task to another very quickly,” says Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at MIT. Paolo Cardini recommends “getting deeply involved in the one task you are working on right now and rediscovering what it feels like to fully immerse yourself in the simple life” in his TED talk “Forget multitasking, try monotasking. “.
Is 2022 going to be the Year of Monotasking? Do we need to refocus by practicing greater focus? According to author Thatcher Wine in his book The Twelve Monotasks: Do One Thing At A Time To Do Everything Better, “Yes, effective monotasking is the new efficiency. Whether you call it monotasking, mindfulness, being present, or any other name, the goal is the same: Give your focus to one thing at a time.” Amazing things can occur when we give something our full attention, such as reading a book or actively listening to someone in a conversation. I read physical books to sharpen my focus throughout the pandemic and went for three daily walks to get fresh air. I practiced listening with my family and friends. Despite the fact that I couldn’t travel, I paid attention to things while driving to work. I watched YouTube videos to refresh my memory of how to play the piano at home. My efforts to monotask were successful. My stress levels rose when I tried to do multiple things. I unwind and produce more when I’m focused and working on one thing at a time. Doing one thing at a time is the cure for our never-ending to-do lists, modern-day distractions, and fragmentation of our attention. “.
Reclaiming our attention to get through some incredibly challenging times is the main goal of monotasking. “The pandemic has made us realize we don’t need to be super-skilled multitaskers,” says Peyush Bhatia, a success coach. 2022 is a year of mono-tasking for super impact. Human beings. Not human doings. Thats my new mantra. When we multitask, we act under pressure and are in a doing mode. Monotasking conserves energy and prevents unnecessary burnout. When we are able to accomplish more with better quality in less time while monotasking, we feel good. “.
Paolo Cardini: Forget multitasking, try monotasking
What are the benefits of monotasking?
Benefits of monotasking include:
Monotasking vs. multitasking
There are several key differences between monotasking versus multitasking, including:
How you complete tasks
Dealing with just one task is referred to as monotasking or single-tasking. With this method of time management, you only take on one task to finish. Dealing with multiple tasks at once, up to as many as you’d like, is referred to as multitasking.
How you manage your focus
Monotasking focuses on completing one task at a time. As a result, monotasking might help you concentrate better on what needs to be done. Due to the emphasis on completing multiple tasks at once, multitasking may make it harder to concentrate due to the sheer volume of tasks you have to complete.
How wide your scope of work is
Your scope of work may be wider if you multitask. This is due to the fact that you are concentrating on several tasks, some of which may be diverse topics or areas. Due to your singular focus, monotasking may result in a smaller scope of work than when multitasking. It’s critical to keep in mind that a project’s scope can vary greatly depending on its content or focus.
What your level of productivity is
When monotasking or multitasking, your level of productivity can vary. For instance, while multitasking, you may collectively finish more work and advance more projects, or you may make some progress on several projects. Additionally, you might put a lot of work into a project and have a high level of productivity, or you might put in little effort and have a low level of productivity.
When to monotask
Monotasking may occasionally prove to be the most effective and efficient method of managing a workload, such as:
What are the benefits of multitasking?
Benefits to multitasking include:
When to multitask
Similar to single-tasking, there are some circumstances in which multitasking may prove to be the most effective way to finish tasks in the allotted time, including:
Tips for multitasking
Consider these tips when multitasking:
Tips for monotasking
Consider these tips when monotasking:
FAQ
What is better than multitasking?
Deep work is another way to understand single-tasking. You can accomplish more by concentrating on one thing at a time and staying away from distractions than you can by multitasking.
What is the meaning of monotasking?
Monotasking, also referred to as single-tasking, is the practice of focusing solely on one task at a time and avoiding distractions until the task is finished or a significant amount of time has passed. Multitasking, which is the capacity to divide attention between several tasks, contrasts with monotasking.
Why is monotasking important?
The advantages of monotasking include: Increasing productivity – while multitasking may make you appear as though you’re busy and you’re getting more done, the truth is that monotasking yields longer-term gains in productivity. Reducing errors in the work you do by being focused.
Are multitaskers more productive?
In many ways, multitasking seems like a good idea: multitaskers are ostensibly more productive because they focus on multiple tasks at once. However, despite the fact that multitaskers may appear to be more effective at their jobs, numerous studies show that multitasking actually reduces productivity.
